Wu Tai Shan is the Buddhist scared mountain of the north. Located in a mountainous region of Shanxi province it actually consists of five sacred peaks in the center of which is the small monastic village of Taihuai. At one time Wu Tai Shan had over 300 temples and monasteries but today the number has been reduced to only about 30 or so with about half of them clustered about the village of Taihuai. If you are a temple lover you will find this place to be your dream place for its concentration of ancient temples, winding streets, and colorful collection of monks and pilgrims. Wu Tai Shan is associated with the bodhisattva of wisdom - Manjushri - known in China as Wen Shu. Manjushri is the special guardian of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhism hence you will find that much of the temple architecture has a Tibetan look to it. You will also find many monks from Tibet with their distinctive red robes wandering the streets of Taihuai along with many pilgrims from Tibet and Mongolia. Tradition has it that Majushri taught here in the early beginnings of Wu Tai Shan and many Buddhist believe this important bodhisattva still resides here. Most of the temple buildings date from the 14th and 15th centuries but a few go back as far as the Tang Dynasty (618AD - 907AD). You may also find examples of Tang Dynasty Buddhist art in a few of the temples. Wu Tai Shan provides a fascinating glimpse back into the history of an ancient center of Chinese Buddhism.

Other Sacred Mountains of China:

Wutai Shan

The monastic village of Taihuai Zhen is a colorful place. Dozens of temples, crowds from the big city mixing with the rural peasants and monks, and many shops selling items for the pilgrim make for a exciting visit.

One of the main streets of Taihuai

Monks out for a stroll, Watchtower in background

Street market

Taihuai is also a small town in a rural setting

Taihuai street

The Pagoda at Qifo Si temple

The bell tower at Guangzong Si

View of some of the towns temples

Wen Shu 文 殊

Bodhisattava of Wutai Shan

Detail of roof framing at Bi Shan Si

Detail of roof framing and temple art

Court yard in front of the temple. Yuanzhao Si

Temple buildings at Yuan Zhao Si

Old monk at Guanren Si

Guan Yin altar at Ji Fu Si

Serpent Nagas protecting Buddha

Guardian lion and bell tower

Buddha of Bi Shan Si - Great Hall

Two of the 18 Lohans in the Great Hall

Roof framing on the temple buildings

Tibetan monks at meeting to pray for peace, Guangren Si

Worshipers at the Qifo Si temple

Yuanzhao Si

The Tourist Bodhisattva

Buddha at Ta Yuan Si

Luohou Si entrance

Detail of sulpture Yuanzhao Si

Monk at collection box

Monks at the Nan Tai temple

Mountain graveyard Nan Tai

Typical of the many paintings in the temple

Altar figure at Bishan Si

Monks taking a break from their studies

Roof detail at Jinge Si

In terms of temple art and the constuction details of the temple the Bi Shan Temple is one of the best on the mountain